Paolo Banchero’s rise to stardom is as meteoric as an entertainer’s ascent to fame on a reality TV show, and the Orlando Magic are doing the equivalent of handing him the golden buzzer. The franchise has secured their future with a sensationally hefty five-year contract extension worth $287 million for their powerhouse forward. This gigantic deal has sent shockwaves through the basketball landscape and given Magic fans a whole new reason to polish their spirit fingers and get excited about playoff basketball once again.
Orlando Magic fans have long been yearning for a return to the franchise’s past glory days—the times when they could strut confidently onto any court, spearheaded by Superman-like performances from Dwight Howard. Memories of those triumphant seasons seemed like a distant echo, but with this bold move, the Magic are making a statement loud and clear: the years of endless rebuilding and monotonous false starts are over. The clock has struck midnight, and they’re shooting for the stars, aiming to transform from underdogs to frontrunners.
In the grand tapestry of basketball, Banchero, a Seattle native who cut his teeth at Duke University, has rapidly woven himself into the central pattern. As the number one overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, he immediately justified the hype, storming onto the scene like a force of nature. Bagging the coveted NBA Rookie of the Year title, Banchero averaged an assertive 20 points and close to seven rebounds per game. By his sophomore year, he had elevated his game to dizzying heights, boasting averages of 22.6 points, which earned him an All-Star nod in 2024.
But wait, his tale of growth doesn’t stop there! Last season, Banchero turned his performance up a notch yet again with a dazzling 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and an impressive 4.8 assists per game. His stats were the basketball equivalent of scoring a perfect dance routine, leaving spectators in awe and ensuring that Arena seats became prime real estate once more.
With several painful seasons behind them, marked by playoff droughts and a few ill-fated, blink-and-you’ll-miss playoff attempts, the Magic finally marked their territory last season. Securing the Southeast Division title with an even 41-41 finish, they made a triumphant playoff return. Amidst an Eastern Conference field in flux, with Boston and New York shaking up their rosters like a nervous would-be magician shuffles cards, the Magic have seen their golden opportunity and seized it with both hands. By adding Banchero to a lineup that includes Franz Wagner and securing sharpshooter Desmond Bane through a bold five first-round draft pick trade gamble, Orlando is rolling the dice and signaling that they are in win-now mode.
Beyond the court, the ripple effects of Banchero’s dazzling performances and blockbuster extension are being felt in the world of sports memorabilia. While the Orlando Magic might not be hailed from a booming metropolis like New York or Los Angeles, Banchero’s recent on-court heroics and his bank-busting contract have set the collector’s market abuzz. For casual fans with a penchant for memorabilia, Banchero cards are as affordable as a pack of chewing gum, with items like a base 2023-24 Panini Select Retail Blue card going for just a dollar or so.
Yet, those with refined tastes chasing rarer collectibles will notice trend lines sloping upwards, like they’re being drawn by an optimistic economist. Banchero’s 2022-23 Panini Obsidian Rookie Eruption Auto (#/75) is inching closer to $200. Meanwhile, his 2022 Panini Prizm Penmanship Purple Ice Auto (#/99) might set you back anywhere from $200 for one in near-mint condition to a whopping $500 if you’re gunning for a mint condition gem, according to Beckett.
Simply put, Magic fans and collectors might find that now’s the time to jump on the Banchero bandwagon before prices skyrocket higher, propelled by Orlando’s playoff bid under his dazzling leadership.
Paolo Banchero is no longer merely a rising star; he is the midnight sun of Orlando’s basketball hopes, refusing to set and illuminating the franchise’s path back to the prominence they once enjoyed. Re-inking Banchero is only the beginning, and with each game, the rush of excitement is as palpable as the final minutes of a tightly contested match. As the city of Orlando braces itself, hopes are climactically pinned on their star – and who knows? With Banchero at the helm, the Magic may just make their dreams come true, one magnificent play at a time.
